by Joanne Wadsworth | May 13, 2013 | Author Blog
Cute. 🙂
Authors and publishers have offered free ebooks as a way to capture new readers for a few years. But does it really work? This marketing strategy is one of many used in our industry, and it’s rather intriguing. As a reader, I’ve certainly downloaded my fair share of free ebooks over this past 14 months while I’ve had an ereader. To begin with, I thought wow, this is cool. I get to try out new authors and see if I like their work. My intention was, if I did, I’d go on to buy more of their books.
The only problem with this, is that more and more free ebooks keep coming out. There’s an endless stream. Another problem is, some of those freebies were just plain awful. If I got a couple of chapters into the story and it didn’t capture me, I simply deleted it and began another. I hadn’t invested any money, so no harm was done. Only this got a little monotonous. Of the fifteen free ebooks I’d downloaded, only two were any good. Those are terrible odds, and in a way puts me off from downloading another from an author I haven’t heard of.
As a bonus though, because I’d received them for free, I wrote reviews for those two authors and posted them on Amazon. I felt obligated to ensure they received some sort of compensation for what they’d freely given. Although, I can’t help thinking is what happened to me the same for other readers? To answer my question, I checked out what authors and readers are saying about free ebooks. This information has come from a number of sources, from other authors and readers I’ve chatted to, as well as from reading responses within various group threads on Goodreads.
Here’s the overall feeling on free ebooks.
- Readers are more apt to give a new author a try when they can read their book for free. They’ll happily buy other books if there are any.
- A couple of authors mentioned that some of their free ebooks made it into the hands of readers who don’t enjoy the genre they write. They then left bad reviews stating so, but then that’s the risk an author takes.
- Many readers said they’re more committed to reading an ebook they purchase, over one they receive for free. Freebies get put to the bottom of the pile.
- Readers also found where a free ebook in a series became available, if they liked it, it hooked them into buying other books within the series.
- Authors did report that they sold more books for a short time after their promotion, but then their sales dropped away again and back to normal levels. Because of this, they felt giving away free ebooks is something that should be done once they had a backlist. This marketing strategy would then see those readers who enjoyed their books, perhaps buying others they had available. (Of course, we all know there are some authors who’ve seen incredible success from “free ebooks,” and in some cases, it’s launched their careers.)
- Also, a number of readers said after reading some terrible free ebooks, they’re learnt to check the reviews and the current average rating of any future freebies before downloading them. (This is exactly what I did this month. I’ve downloaded only one free ebook in May, and it’s from an author I know can deliver a good read. I too checked out the current star rating, and once satisfied, downloaded their free ebook.)
- One author who experienced a huge boost in sales said she’s glad she gave away free ebooks. It was incredibly effective for her. She was there not long after the KDP select program began and that’s when she saw her success. She did state though, that Amazon have now tightened their algorithms surrounding their lists, and that means a free ebook falls far quicker after its free days. It’s not as effective as it was when she first began.
- Lastly, the underlying point which really came through, was readers truly enjoy when they discover a new author from a free ebook. They go searching for other books they’ve written to buy more, but again that author needs to have a backlist to reap the benefits.
Interesting, isn’t it? Publishers and authors will certainly continue to use free ebooks as one of their marketing strategies, but I believe they’re starting to get more savvy on exactly what works and doesn’t work. As an author or reader, what do you think of free ebooks? If you’re an author, have you given ebooks away for free? Did you find success? Was it all you hoped for? Will you try it again? You know me, I love hearing from you. Drop me a comment and let me know how you feel about free ebooks? I’m all for authors supporting authors, and sharing all that important information.
Take care, and I’ll catch ya next week.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
by Joanne Wadsworth | May 12, 2013 | Author Blog
If you’re a mom, a huge happy Mother’s Day to you.
I’ve compiled a few pictures which really say it all. Mothers, sit down and relax. Have a wee laugh, maybe even a heartfelt sigh. Mostly, enjoy.
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MOMS ROCK!
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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
Moms, I hope you have a super day and get totally spoilt.
For my regular Monday post, I’m blogging about “Free Ebooks” and “Do They Really Capture New Readers.” I’ve been chatting to a number of authors, and I’ve got some interesting information for you. Catch ya tomorrow everyone. 🙂
by Joanne Wadsworth | May 6, 2013 | Author Blog
What a magical moment I had last Wednesday. WARRIOR’s cover arrived from my publisher, which meant I spent the entire day printing off copies and pinning them around the house. Yep, my hubby and kiddies couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing the image. So, huge thanks to Renee Rocco of Lyrical Press NY for her skilful hand at cover-art.
Warrior is book two in my YA fantasy romance series. Each book features a new heroine and hero, and Warrior is the story of Hope and Silas. Although the characters from the first book, Protector, feature prominently throughout the second, so you’ll not miss catching up with Faith and Davio along the way. Also, as both the heroines from the two books are from the famed Wincrest line, the images of the two girls are strikingly similar. So, here it is, WARRIOR’s cover. I hope you enjoy.
WARRIORÂ ~~ Magio-Earth Book Two ~~ Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance.
COMINGÂ Â Â ~~Â November 4th 2013 with Lyrical Press NY.
~~~
WARRIOR’s blurb
To love and protect…across worlds.
On planet Magio, Princess Hope Wincrest, of Dralion is on a quest to discover the lost heritage of a mother she’s never known. While in the Australian Outback, her home away from home, her warrior father warns her she is about to meet an enemy protector whom she must work with to uncover her heritage.
Silas Carver, of Peacio on planet Magio, follows his soul’s call only to discover his soul-bound mate is an enemy of his people. Dralion and Peacio are at war. He demands Hope release him from their bond, and she will, after he helps her learn about her mother.
Eighteen-year-old Hope’s adult strength abilities are emerging and one of them could be deadly to her. She must lay her life in Silas’s hands during a journey deep into foreign lands. Theirs is a battle of the heart and of the land. Can the mated pair find their place with each other in a world at war?
If you’d like to add WARRIOR to your TBR list, the link is here–> Goodreads.
Thanks so much for joining me in celebrating the release of my cover. I’m currently working hard on Book Three in the series, and having a blast writing Silvie’s story. She’s one fiery redhead who knows how to have fun. I should have this one ready to send out for submission at the end of May. So close. I can’t wait. If you want to drop me a comment, you know I love hearing from you.
I wish you all a safe and wonderful week. Catch ya later.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
by Joanne Wadsworth | Apr 29, 2013 | Author Blog
I found some young ones. So cute. 🙂
Without a doubt, YA (young adult) is a very hot genre to write. It’s been around for a while, although there was a turning point in 2008 when it truly exploded. A number of writers tried their hand at it. Some found YA was for them, and others discovered writing this genre is tougher than it looks. Although, YA isn’t about to slow down anytime soon. Readers of YA are committed. They’re always after more, and for writers of this genre, we’re here to deliver.
Now, what makes YA so popular?
Those teen years we go through, are an incredible time. They’re exciting, fun, awful, painful, scary, amazing, and everything in between. It’s when we discover the world and where we fit in. In our teen years, our emotions are pure, and all that we go through is intense and totally confusing.
That’s why YA captures such a wide-ranging readership base. It crosses the generations, and is read by young adults and adults alike. There is no age barrier to YA. Even my 88-year-old grandmother has recently read my YA fantasy romance. It was her first foray into this genre, and she was fascinated by how enthralled she became. (Phew.) The story reminded her of the time she lived by the seat-of-her-pants. (Yep, seat-of-her-pants. She was such a rebel in her younger years.) She wants more YA–and just like that, she’s hooked.
So, let’s cover what YA writers should be aware of. There are certainly some points to note.
- YA books focus on the essence of what teens go through, and I’m not talking about learning to drive a car, going to prom, or that very first date.
- YA readers are smart. They want deep storylines, and fast-paced action, so don’t even attempt to write simple. Teens will spot simple a mile away, and just get annoyed.
In fact, it’s often said writers must pay attention to the three core questions which should be at the heart of every YA novel.
A ton of new questions can arise from these three core ones, but fundamentally they make great building blocks when writing YA.
Your characters are about to take the journey in discovering the answers they seek. There’ll be struggles and mistakes, bends and twists in the road, triumphs and tears, but that’s how teens uncover all life has to offer. The journey they undertake must be deep. They must challenge themselves to sort out any inner fears and frustrations, and while doing so, remain completely relatable.
All in all, YA books are about teens coming to terms with who they are, and experiencing all life’s ups and downs along the way.
Okay, so if you’re after some YA novel guidelines, here are some helpful pointers.
- So far, there are no forbidden subjects, but whatever you delve into must be done with sensitivity and care, taking into account the age of the teen reader. Often we can allude to something, and then fade out the scene. The YA reader is smart, and they’ll be aware of what’s happened.
- Overall, teens will identify more strongly with the character’s feelings, and this is why intense situations don’t always need to be written in.
- Characters are teens, and aged within those years.
- YA novels generally run between 40,000-75,000, but you will find books either side of that. If there is a particular publisher you’re after then make sure you check out their website’s submission guidelines to see if they have a preferred word count.
- There are also no vocabulary restrictions for YA, but make certain any coarse language is age or topic appropriate.
- YA is predominantly written in 1st or 3rd Person (I said, or she said.) Although there are some in 2nd Person (you say.)
- And lastly, any subgenre is enjoyed, like fantasy, romance, paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, historical, mystery, adventure, humor. There are no limitations on this.
I hope this post has been helpful for those writers wanting to delve into YA, or for those who just want to know a little more about this intriguing genre. Even in writing this post, I was surprised by how much I had to share. YA is certainly not easy to write, although it’s incredibly enjoyable.
If you have any questions, just leave me a comment. I love hearing from you. And if you’d like to read a YA novel, one getting some fab 4&5 Star reviews, then PROTECTOR’s buy links are just below. Enjoy, and take care this week.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
by Joanne Wadsworth | Apr 22, 2013 | Author Blog
Teachers. You gotta love them. 🙂
Want to know an easy way to sell more books? Ahh, the question every author wants the answer to.
I happened to be over on Goodreads, and reading their latest reader survey when I read the answer. I was shocked. My first thought was, of course. Now, why didn’t I think of that?
So, here’s the answer, and I’m going to give it to you by asking you a question, one the Goodreads’ team posed to their readers.
What do you want to do when you get to the end of a book?
Well, this question was put to 15 million readers. A phenomenal number for sure, and the results, simply amazing. 83% wanted to see what else the author had written.
Now, at the end of a book, I usually feel all happy and content, and that’s the moment I want to know what else the author has written. I’m definitely one of those in the 83 percent.
So, how do we as authors make this happen? How do we easily get this information of “what else we’ve written” into the reader’s hands? The answer is, right after your reader has turned that final page, make sure the very next one is a page which includes a list of your other books. In the case of ebooks, you could even include a link.
At times, I’ve seen this done, but until it’s pointed out, the obvious can become forgotten. So, let’s make sure as authors, that information is now viewable at the end of our books, in exactly the place it’s needed. Thank you Goodreads, for some wonderful information.
Although, I decided to take this question one step further . What else could likewise aid an author in selling more books?
What else do you want to do when you get to the end of a book?
For me, I want to read something about the author, and I don’t quite mean their bio which I usually see. Those I find interesting, but if it’s the standard blurb, I don’t feel the connection. No, what I want, is for the author to share specific information about the book I’ve just read, and their next project. I want to be informed, entertained and to connect with the author on a more personal level. I want to remember their name, so it’s in the forefront of my mind for when I go to buy my next book. I’m not asking to be swamped with information, but simply to have a short page which gives me a taste or a teaser for more.
Are you like this? Do you want to get the warm fuzzies and connect with the author after investing hours in reading their book? Do you think having a page where readers can find an author’s work is a good idea? Do you like the idea of having an informative “About the Author” page over reading the usual author bio?
Drop me a comment and let me know. And to end this post in an interesting way, I found this fabulous reading test. See if you become enlightened after reading this. And if you totally got every word, shout it out.
Have an absolutely amazing week. Catch ya later.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
